JP2002078972A - Thinking method for game using computer and recording medium for realizing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a favorable thinking method used when a virtual player controlled by a computer makes a choice among alternatives within a prescribed range. SOLUTION: Under the thinking method for the game wherein the plural players choose any one of the alternatives included within a prescribed range, the virtual player controlled by the computer 16 makes a choice among the alternatives. The alternative chosen by each of the players is stored in association with the choice order of the alternatives (S3 and S7). The alternative specified by the virtual player is estimated, the contents stored in the storage procedure are referred to, and it is judged whether the estimated alternative has been chosen or not by generating an error with a prescribed probability (S101 and S102). The alternative judged unchosen is established as the alternative chosen by the virtual player (S104). The probability of mistakenly judging the alternative unchosen is made higher in the case of the more previously chosen alternative.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of thinking suitable for executing a game for competing for memory on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There have been conventionally provided various game machines for playing a battle game (for example, shogi or Othello) between a real player and a virtual player operated by a computer. In those games, the virtual player's play content is determined according to a predetermined thinking algorithm.

[0003]

By the way, as a game for competing for a player's memory ability, a plurality of players are required to select a numerical value within a predetermined range (eg, 1 to 30) within a predetermined number in a predetermined order. A game is considered in which if a player selects a numerical value that has already been selected again, that player is excluded from the game as a loss, and the last remaining player wins. This type of game has the advantage that the rules are simple and easy to understand, and various players can easily play.

However, in order to increase the number of players when realizing such a game using a computer, it is indispensable to introduce a virtual player controlled by the computer in addition to the actual player. is there.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a suitable thinking method used when a virtual player controlled by a computer selects an option from a predetermined range.

[0006]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to the present invention, a plurality of players each including one or more real players and one or more virtual players controlled by a computer respectively select one of a plurality of options included in a predetermined range. And is used to implement a game in which each player's choice is selected or not.
(S3, S7) a method of thinking about a game in which the computer (16) determines options selected by the virtual player, wherein the options selected by each player are stored in association with their selection order. ,
Procedure of assuming an option specified by the virtual player and referring to the content stored in the storing procedure and determining whether or not the option has been selected with a predetermined probability so that an error occurs. (S101, S102), and a step (S104) of determining the assumed option as an option selected by the virtual player when it is determined that the hypothetical option is not selected. The above-mentioned problem is solved by a game thinking method using a computer, in which a determination is made as to whether or not the selection has been made, so that the probability that the selection order is older is erroneously determined to be unselected. Resolve.

According to the present invention, the selected options are stored in association with their selection order, and the selection order having the older selection, in other words, the option selected in the past is erroneously determined as unselected, and the selection is made again. The probability of being selected by a virtual player increases. In this way, as the game progresses, the virtual player forgets the options selected in the past, so that it is possible to reduce the operability of the selection of the options by the computer and enhance the interest of the game.

In the thinking method of the present invention, in the storing step, the options are divided and stored in a plurality of hierarchies according to a selection order for each of a predetermined number of two or more options. The probability of occurrence of the error is set for each layer so that the probability of occurrence is high, and in the step of determining whether or not the selection has been made, the assumption is made by referring to the probability of occurrence of the error set for each layer. It may be determined whether or not the selected option has been selected.

In this case, the same probability of occurrence of the same error is set for two or more predetermined number of options recorded in the same hierarchy. Therefore, the amount of processing to be performed by the computer can be reduced within a reasonable range as compared with a case where the probability of occurrence of the error is individually set for each option according to their selection order. That is, even if the probability of occurrence of the error is individually set for each option while changing the probability, the change in the probability between a group of options adjacent to each other in the selection order is slight, and the probability changes individually. There is little real benefit. Further, if the change in the probability for each numerical value is set to such an extent that the player can feel the change in the game, the width of the change in the probability between a pair of options adjacent to each other in the selection order must be set to some extent. However, the probability of occurrence of an error is 0 to 1
Since the probability is limited to 00%, there is a limit to the range in which the probability changes, and there is a possibility that sufficient differentiation cannot be made depending on the number of options. Therefore, by classifying each of a predetermined number of two or more options into hierarchies and setting the probability of occurrence of an error in each hierarchic, a sufficient range of change in the probability between hierarchies is ensured, and the effect of the stochastic operation is determined. It is possible to reduce the amount of processing to be performed by the computer while realizing the above.

Further, in the thinking method of the present invention, the game is configured to select the virtual player from a plurality of characters prepared in advance, and each character has an ability related to the probability that the error will occur. And
In the step of determining whether or not the selection has been made, with reference to the probability of the error set for each hierarchy and the ability set for the character selected as the virtual player, It may be determined whether the assumed option has been selected.

In this way, by setting the abilities for each character and correcting the probability of occurrence of the error set for each hierarchy according to the abilities, a character having excellent memory ability or a character having poor memory ability can be virtually assumed. As a typical player in the game, and the difficulty of the game can be changed. Which character is selected as a virtual player may be determined based on an instruction from an actual player, or may be automatically selected by a game program.

[0013] In the thinking method of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of levels are set for the ability of each character, and the number of levels is set to be larger than the number of levels. If the number of levels is defined more finely than the number of levels of abilities, even if the probability of occurrence of the error is corrected based on the abilities of each character, the change in the probability of each level will appear more clearly in the game, This is because there is a possibility that the individuality regarding the memory ability cannot be sufficiently expressed.

The present invention can also be expressed as a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the above-described thinking method.

That is, the storage medium of the present invention allows a plurality of players each including one or more real players and one or more virtual players controlled by a computer to select one of a plurality of options included in a predetermined range. Are used to realize a game in which whether or not the selected option of each player is already selected is associated with a score, and the computer determines the option to be selected by the virtual player. It is a storage medium (15) in which a program is recorded, in which a procedure (S3, S7) for storing options selected by each player in association with their selection order and an option specified by the virtual player are assumed. Then, by referring to the contents stored in the storing procedure, it is determined whether or not the option has been selected. When the procedure (S101, S102) for determining as an error occurs at a rate, was assumed choice is determined that unselected, the procedure for determining the choice as a choice of the virtual player has selected (S10
4) is recorded in the computer, and in the determining step, the selection is performed in such a manner that an option having an earlier selection order is more likely to be erroneously determined to be unselected. It is characterized in that a judgment is made.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, in the storing step, the options are stored by being divided into a plurality of hierarchies according to a selection order, and the probability that the error occurs is higher in a hierarchy having a lower selection order. The probability of occurrence of the error is set for each layer, and in the step of determining whether or not the selection has been made, whether or not the assumed option has been selected with reference to the probability of occurrence of the error set for each layer May be determined. The game is configured such that the virtual player is selected from a plurality of characters prepared in advance, the ability for each character is set with respect to the probability of occurrence of the error, and the procedure of determining whether or not the character has been selected is performed in the following procedure. , The probability of occurrence of the error set for each layer,
Whether or not the assumed option has been selected may be determined with reference to the ability set for the character selected as the virtual player. A plurality of levels may be set for the abilities for each character, and the number of levels may be set to be greater than the number of levels.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a home game machine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a home game machine. This home-use game machine executes a predetermined game according to a game program recorded on a CD-ROM 15 as a storage medium. The game system includes a CPU 1 mainly composed of a microprocessor, a ROM 2 and a RAM 3 as a main storage device for the CPU 1, a CPU 1,
Image processing device 4 and sound processing device 6 that perform processing suitable for image processing and audio processing based on an instruction from
And buffers 5 and 7 functioning as temporary storage means for the devices 4 and 6, and a CD-ROM reader 8. The ROM 2 stores an operating system as a program necessary for controlling the overall operation of the game machine. CD-ROM as a storage medium in RAM 3
The program and data for the game read from 15 are written as needed. The image processing device 4 receives the image data from the CPU 1, expands the image data corresponding to the game screen on the frame buffer 5, converts the drawn image data into a predetermined video reproduction signal, and monitors the video data at a predetermined timing. 9 is output. The sound processing device 6 reproduces data such as voice and musical sound, sound source data, and the like read from the CD-ROM 15 and recorded in the sound buffer 7 and outputs the data from the speaker 10. CD
The ROM reading device 8 reads C
It reads programs and data recorded on the D-ROM 15 and outputs signals corresponding to the read contents. The CD-ROM 15 stores programs and data necessary for executing the video game according to the present invention.
A home television receiver is generally used for the monitor 9, and a built-in speaker of the television receiver is generally used for the speaker 10.

Further, a communication control device 11 is connected to the CPU 1 via a bus 14, and a controller 12 and an auxiliary storage device 13 are detachably connected to the device 11, respectively. The controller 12 functions as an input device in the game system, and is provided with, for example, a cross key 12a used for selecting a direction and a plurality of push button switches 12b as operation members for receiving an operation by the player. Communication control device 1
1 is a controller 12 at a constant period (for example, 1/60 second).
Is scanned, and a signal corresponding to the scanning result is output to C
Output to PU1. The CPU 1 determines the operation state of the controller 12 based on the signal. Controller 12
A plurality of auxiliary storage devices 13 can be connected to the communication control device 11 in parallel.

In the above configuration, the other components except the monitor 9, the speaker 10, the controller 12, the CD-ROM 15, and the auxiliary storage device 13 are integrally housed in a predetermined housing to form the game machine body 16. . The game machine body 16 functions as a computer.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of a game realized by the game program recorded on the CD-ROM 15. This game is played with multiple players participating. FIG. 2 is based on the assumption that four players A to D participate. For each player A to D,
As an option, a number to select two numbers at a time from a predetermined range of numerical values (for example, 30 numerical values from 1 to 30) comes in a predetermined order. Hereinafter, the act of selecting this numerical value is called a call. However, when calling two numbers, they must be consecutive numbers.

The first round ends when it is time to call a numerical value from player A to player D. After that, the numbers are called again from player A to player D in order. Thereafter, similarly, the game proceeds by each player calling a numerical value in order.
In the example of FIG. 2, player A calls 28, player B 18, player C and player D 20 in the first round, and player A 16 and 1 in the second round.
7, Player B calls 25 and 26, Player C calls 6, Player D calls 3, and in the third round, Players A and 23, Player B 19 and Player C
, And Player D calls 22 respectively.

The values that the player calls are limited to the values that no one has called yet. If a player calls the wrong number by mistake, the player loses and is removed from the game. In this way, the number of players gradually decreases, and finally the remaining players win.

In the game described above, in addition to the actual player operating the controller 12 to participate in the game, a virtual player controlled by the CPU 1 may also participate in the game. In order to determine the value to be called by the virtual player, the CPU 1 stores the called value in a predetermined area of the RAM 3 as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 1 stores the numerical values called by each player in eight levels of depth (hierarchy) according to the calling order, regardless of which player has called. Hereinafter, the data created in the manner of FIG. 3 is referred to as selection determination data for convenience.

Up to four numerical values are stored in each layer. When a new number is called, that number is recorded in the shallowest hierarchy (memory depth 1). If four numerical values have already been recorded in the hierarchy at the time of the recording, the numerical value called first among the four numerical values is moved to the next hierarchy. Hereinafter, similarly, each time a numerical value is called, the stored content is updated, and the numerical value already called is gradually transferred to a deeper hierarchy. The selection discrimination data in FIG. 3 shows an example in which all 30 numerical values are called. The numerical value 28 called first and the numerical value 18 called second are the deepest in the eighth hierarchy. And the four subsequently called numbers 8, 20, 16,
17 is stored in the seventh hierarchy, and similarly, the numerical value of the call is stored up to the shallowest hierarchy.

The depth of storage in the selection discrimination data of FIG. 3 is related to the degree to which the virtual player forgets whether or not the called number has been called (forgetting degree). That is, a forgetting degree is set in advance for each hierarchy, and the forgetting degree increases as the depth of the memory increases. In other words, the numerical value with a deeper memory has a higher probability of being erroneously determined to have not been called yet. That is, the degree of forgetting corresponds to the probability that the computer determines that the called numerical value is not erroneously called.

In this game, a plurality of characters are prepared as virtual players controlled by a computer. Then, in order to express the individuality regarding the memory of each character, each character is set with the ability regarding the forgetting degree. The ability has multiple levels,
The forgetting degree is corrected to a relatively small value as the level is higher. In other words, the higher the ability level of a character, the lower the probability of erroneously determining that the called value has not yet been called.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the depth of storage and the degree of forgetting. In this example, ten levels (ability values) of 1 to 10 are prepared as the abilities of the character, and the ability value 10 has the best memory ability. However, in the figure, only the forgetting degree in the case of the ability value 3 and the ability value 10 is illustrated. The line of the ability value 0 indicates the forgetting degree when the forgetting degree is not corrected based on the ability value. That is, the line of the ability value 0 indicates the forgetting degree set for each storage depth in FIG. However, the ability value 0 is shown by a curve in FIG. 4, but in practice, a fixed forgetting degree is set for each depth of memory,
The graph of the ability value 0 may be drawn as a step-like line whose value changes each time the storage depth changes.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the number of levels of the ability (in this case, 10) is set to be larger than the number of levels of the storage depth (in this case, 8). The reason is that if the forgetting degree based on the memory depth is specified more finely than the number of ability levels, even if the forgetting degree is corrected based on the ability for each character, the effect is unlikely to appear, and the individuality of each character is sufficiently expressed. This is because it may not be possible.

FIG. 5 shows C for realizing the above-mentioned game.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the game process which PU1 performs. In this example, for the sake of simplicity, a case is shown in which a real player and a virtual player each participate in the game one by one. Further, in the process of FIG. 5, the game is started with the actual player as the first player, but it may be determined at the start of the game which one will be the first player.

When a real player performs a predetermined game start operation on the controller 12, a predetermined initialization process, for example, a process of initializing the selection discrimination data shown in FIG. The selection process is performed based on the instruction from.
When those processes are completed, the game process of FIG. 5 is started. In the game process, first, it is determined whether or not the actual player has called a numerical value (step S1). The actual player call is, for example,
This is realized by displaying 30 on the monitor 9 and selecting a numerical value to be called from the display by operating the controller 12. However, information serving as clues for determining whether each of the numerical values 1 to 30 has been called is not displayed on the monitor 9 at all.

Next, it is determined whether or not the numerical value called in step S1 has been called, for example, by referring to the selection determination data in FIG. 3 (step S2). Note that, apart from the data in FIG. 3, a flag or the like for identifying whether or not each numerical value has been called may be used to determine whether or not the call has been made. The description is continued assuming that it is determined whether or not the call has been made.

If the call has not been made in step S2, the data on the called numerical value is updated so as to include the numerical value called in step S1 (step S3).
Next, it is determined based on the selection discrimination data of FIG. 3 whether or not a numerical value that has not been called remains among the numerical values of 1 to 30 (step S4). If there is a numerical value that has not been called, it is the turn for the virtual player to call the numerical value, and the numerical value to be called by the virtual player is selected according to a predetermined procedure (step S5).
Thereafter, it is determined in step S whether or not the selected numerical value has been called.
2 (step S6), and when it is determined that the call has not been made, the selection determination data of FIG. 3 is updated to include the numerical value selected in step S5 (step S7). . Next, among the numerical values of 1 to 30,
It is determined based on the selection discrimination data of FIG. 3 whether or not a numerical value that has not been called remains (step S8).
If a numerical value that has not been called remains, the process returns to step S1.

According to the above processing, the real player and the virtual player alternately call numerical values. When the actual player calls the called numerical value, step S2 is affirmed, and in step S10, the process is performed assuming that the actual player has lost, and the game ends. On the other hand, when the virtual player calls the called numerical value, step S6 is affirmed, and step S6 is affirmed.
At 11, the processing is performed assuming that the virtual player (computer) has lost, and the game ends. 1 due to the actual player calling a number that has not been called
When all the numerical values of 〜30 have been called, step S4 is affirmed, and the process is performed in step S12 assuming that the actual player has won, and the game ends. If all the numerical values from 1 to 30 have been called by the virtual player calling a numerical value that has not been called, step S8 is affirmed, and the virtual player (computer) wins in step S13. The processing is performed and the game ends.

As described above, when it is determined in step S2 and step S6 whether or not a call has been made, and when it is determined in step S4 and step S8 whether or not there is an uncalled numerical value, FIG. Reference is made to the selection discrimination data of No. 3, but at this time, the storage depth of each numerical value is not considered. That is, in steps S2 and S6, if the called numerical value is recorded, it is determined that the call has been made regardless of the storage depth, and if the called numerical value is not recorded, it is determined that the call has not been made. . In steps S4 and S8, if two numerical values are recorded in the deepest hierarchy, it is determined that there is no uncalled numerical value, and otherwise, it is determined that there is an uncalled numerical value.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a call numerical value selection process executed by the CPU 1 as a subroutine process of FIG. 5 (corresponding to step S5) to select a numerical value to be called by a virtual player. In this process, first, one or two (in the case of two, a serial number) numerical value of 1 to 30 is provisionally selected, for example, at random (step S101), and whether the provisionally selected numerical value has been called It is determined whether or not an error occurs with a predetermined probability (step S102). That is, whether or not the selected numerical value has been called is determined based on whether or not the same numeral is recorded in the data of FIG. 3, but the temporarily selected numerical value exists in the data of FIG. In this case, a predetermined arithmetic expression is used that takes into account the degree of forgetting (see FIG. 4) determined by the depth (hierarchy) of the storage of the numerical value and the ability set for the virtual player. It is determined whether the numerical value has been called. The arithmetic expression is a probability corresponding to the forgetting degree, that is, 5 if the forgetting degree is 50%.
It is configured to determine with a 0% probability that the provisionally selected number is not called.

If it is determined in step S102 of FIG. 6 that the call has been made, another numerical value is temporarily selected in step S103, and the process of step S102 is performed again. If it is determined in step S102 that the call has not been made, the numerical value is determined as the numerical value to be called by the virtual player in step S104. Thereby, the process of FIG. 6 is completed, and the process proceeds to step S6 of FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be embodied in various forms. For example, in the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6, a case has been described in which each of the actual player and the virtual player is one person, but any player can participate in a plurality. When three or more players participate, the order in which the numerical values are called is determined at the start of the game, and the processing of steps S1 to S4 is performed when the actual player calls, and the processing in steps S1 to S4 is performed when the virtual player calls. What is necessary is just to perform each of the process of step S5-step S8. Then, the player who called the already called numerical value can be excluded from the game, and the last remaining player can be won.

[0038] Even when the called numerical value is called, the player continues to participate in the game. When all the numerical values are called, the number of times each player calls the called numerical value is compared. May be won. In addition, the performance of the game can be determined in various manners, as long as the called number is associated with whether or not the call has been made. The present invention is not limited to home game machines, and can be applied to game machines or game systems of various genres. For example, the present invention can be applied to an arcade game machine or a game system using a network.

In the above embodiment, in the data for storing the called numerical values, four numerical values are recorded in one layer, but the number of numerical values recorded in the same layer may be variously changed. The forgetting degree may be changed for each of a plurality of numerical values, or may be changed for each of the numerical values. The number of values recorded in the same level may be changed according to the number of players so that the number of values recorded in the same level always matches the number of players participating in the game. In this case, irrespective of the number of players, the forgetting degree of the called numerical value is changed for each division where the number selection cycle is completed. The number of numerical values recorded in the same hierarchy may be changed according to the storage depth. For example, the number of numerical values recorded in the same hierarchy may be reduced as the storage depth increases. The options are not limited to numerical values and can be variously changed. For example, 26 letters of the alphabet may be used as options. The storage medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, and various media may be used.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, as the game progresses, the virtual player forgets the option selected in the past. , Can enhance the interest of the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a consumer game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an outline of a game executed by the game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing how the CPU of FIG. 1 stores selected numerical values;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a memory depth and ability and a forgetting degree.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a game process executed by the CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a call numerical value selection process executed as a subroutine process in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 3 RAM 9 monitor 12 controller 15 CD-ROM (storage medium) 16 game machine main body (computer)

Claims (8)

[Claims] A plurality of players each including one or more real players and one or more virtual players controlled by a computer respectively select one of a plurality of options included in a predetermined range, A game thinking method in which whether or not an option selected by each player is already selected is used to realize a game in which a result is associated with a score, and wherein the computer determines an option to be selected by the virtual player, A procedure for storing the options selected by the player in association with their selection order, and assuming the options specified by the virtual player, and referring to the content stored in the storing procedure, A procedure for determining whether or not an item has been selected with a predetermined probability so that an error occurs. And determining the option as an option selected by the virtual player when the option is determined. In the determining step, the option having a higher selection order is more likely to be erroneously determined to be unselected. A method of thinking of a game using a computer, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the game has been selected. 2. In the storing step, the options are stored in a plurality of hierarchies according to a selection order for each of a predetermined number of two or more options, and the probability that the error occurs is higher in a hierarchy having an earlier selection order. In this way, the probability of the occurrence of the error is set for each layer, and in the step of determining whether or not the selection has been made, the assumed option is selected with reference to the probability of the error set for each layer. The game thinking method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the game has been completed. 3. The game is configured to select the virtual player from a plurality of characters prepared in advance, each character is set with an ability relating to the probability of occurrence of the error, and whether or not the character has been selected is determined. In the step of determining the probability that the error set for each layer occurs,
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the assumed option has been selected by referring to an ability set for the character selected as the virtual player. 4. Game thinking method. 4. The game thinking method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of levels are set for the ability of each character, and the number of levels is larger than the number of the layers. 5. A plurality of players each including one or more real players and one or more virtual players controlled by a computer, each of which selects one of a plurality of options included in a predetermined range, A storage medium which is used to realize a game in which whether or not the option selected by each player has been selected is associated with a score, and in which a program for determining the option selected by the virtual player by the computer is recorded. And storing the options selected by each player in association with their selection order, and assuming the options specified by the virtual player, and referring to the contents stored in the storing procedure. A procedure for determining whether or not the option has been selected with a predetermined probability so that an error occurs. When the selected option is determined to be unselected, a step of determining the option as the option selected by the virtual player is recorded on the computer, and a program for executing the computer is recorded. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the determination as to whether or not the selection has been made is made such that the probability that an option having an older order is erroneously determined to be unselected is increased. 6. In the storing step, the options are stored in a plurality of hierarchies in accordance with a selection order for each of a predetermined number of two or more options, and the probability of occurrence of the error is higher in a hierarchy having an earlier selection order. In this way, the probability of the occurrence of the error is set for each layer, and in the step of determining whether or not the selection has been made, the assumed option is selected with reference to the probability of the error set for each layer. 6. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the storage has been completed. 7. The game is configured to select the virtual player from a plurality of characters prepared in advance, and each character is set with an ability relating to the probability that the error will occur. In the step of determining the probability that the error set for each layer occurs,
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is determined whether or not the assumed option has been selected by referring to an ability set for the character selected as the virtual player. Storage medium. 8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of levels are set for the ability for each character, and the number of levels is greater than the number of the layers.